Riding the tiger

On her first full day in Schaffhausen Mia explored some fresh snow and the toy department of a nearby department store. They had not onlt a big assortment of stuffed cats but also horses and tigers:

In the afternoon we mad a quick trip to the Christmas marked nearby Konstanz.

Schaffhausen. Switzerland

After a smooth flight from Washington, DC to Zurich, Switzerland we made it to Schaffhausen where we are staying with Antje. She showed us arround town in the afternoon and Mia was happy to discover a childrens's ride like the ones she enjoyed in Shanghai.


She also enjoyed the cake at an nice old café:

There were also some nice toy stores in the old town - just a few steps from Antje's place


In the evening it started to snow and we took Mia for a little walk

Off to Switzerland and Germany

For a Thanksgiving get together with some old friends we are leaving from Schaffhausen, Switzerland this evening. After that we add a week in Cologne, Germany to see family and friends. Since the weather forecast calls for snow and temperatures below the freezing point Mia got some snow pants and winter boots. She is still also interested in other shoes and doesn't restrict herself just Mama's shoes.

Playing

After sitting in a corner for a few months now Mia has re-discovered her building blocks and sometimes put them together for a little tower. She then makes sure her work receives the proper attention. On a sunny and mild weekend we also spend a lot of time outside and went to a farmers market and the playground.

We are also getting ready for our trip to Schaffhausen, Switzerland and Cologne, Germany this coming Wednesday. Since the forecast for Zurich for Thursday says snow we got Mia some snow pants and boots today.

New old toys

This weekend Mia finally got her own tricycle. She always liked to play with the ones that are available at one of the playgrounds so when we saw one at a yard sale we picked it up for her. At the same yard sale Mia was also very interested in a pink toy stroller and since she liked it so much the very nice owner offered if for free when we got the tricycle.
Now Mia has two and since she couldn't decide this morning which one to push around she pushed both

Another old toy Mia sometimes plays with is papa's more than 40 years old teddy bear: Last week he was wrapped up and but down for a nap in an old chair of Mia


Here also a picture of Mia right after her afternoon nap where she is relaxing a bit with mama on the bed

Mia and Mr. Mimi

After being apart for more than four weeks Mia and Mr. Mimi are best friends now. Mia has become very good at petting him and Mr. Mimi is very nice to her as well.

Back from Shanghai

Here some pictures from our trip to Shanghai


Mia loved to look for cats around the building where Ji parents live - and she found quite a few.

First visit to the World Expo: Artwork at the South African pavilion

At the South African pavilion: Moments before the South African president came for a quick visit

Mia's first ferry ride to another part of the Expo

Ferry ride
Artwork at the Latvian pavilion

Relaxing at a park
At a park
Selling pets at Qiboa village

Qibao village
Uncle Zhongwei and Mia's cousin

At a children's park
Mia and her cousin
At the second visit at Expo it was much colder

Mia posing in front at Lupu bridge - teh longest steel arch bridge in the world